Two men killed in hate crime shooting outside Tucson gay bar

Vincent Siqueiros and Cameron Capara were shot dead outside Venture-N in Tuscon, Arizona in an attack police say was motivated by hatred of the LGBTQ+ community.

Two men were shot and killed in the parking lot of Venture-N, a longtime Tucson gay bar, early on Monday 31 August. Police have launched a hate crime investigation, with Chief Monica Prieto calling bias-based crimes "especially heinous".

Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, 42, and Cameron Davis Capara, 33, both died at the scene. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Ousman Ceesay, had a note listing several LGBTQ-associated businesses and was also wounded according to Tuscon police. He later died at a local hospital.

Initial evidence suggests Ceesay confronted the victims in the parking lot before shooting them. Police later searched his home and found further evidence supporting their assessment that the shooting was a targeted attack motivated by hate toward the LGBTQ+ community.

Investigators believe Ceesay had only been living in Tucson for a short time and had no prior connection to the victims. He does not appear to have a criminal record in Pima County.

PFLAG Phoenix wrote on social media that "Venture-N has been a safe haven, a sanctuary, and a place of comfort for Tucson's queer community for decades". Several community groups including Tucson Queerstory, Southern Arizona Senior Pride and the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation are planning a candlelight vigil for Wednesday night at a local park.

The Tucson Police Department has increased its presence around LGBTQ+ establishments and is coordinating with community organisations to provide support. Chief Prieto said there was no indication of an ongoing threat to the public.

Tucson Mayor Regina Romero called it "yet another painful reminder that homophobia is still rampant in our country". The vigil for Vincent and Cameron will take place at Catalina Park on Wednesday 2 September at 6:30pm.

Reacting to the news, listeners of Gaydio Breakfast with Dave Cooper messaged in on Wednesday morning with one listener Adrian writing "I think social media platforms are amplifying hate and bigotry, because of the way algorithms work. People can even make money out of it. And it is emboldening al sorts of unpleasant people."

Flowers, candles and photos marked a growing memorial to Siqueiros and Capara outside the bar Tuesday, and several community groups, including Tucson Queerstory, Southern Arizona Senior Pride and the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation, held a candlelight vigil on Wednesday night at a local park.